Assessment of metal concentration in White-Breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) from Phool Nagar and Baghiana Kalan, District Kasur, Pakistan

The White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) is a member of the Rallidae family. The overhunting of local communities and anthropogenic contamination of aquatic ecosystems pose a growing threat to this water bird. This study was carried out at two sites to determine how metals affect White-breasted Waterhens. One site was a pond in the Phool Nagar village of Lamby Jageer, which is a natural site (site 1). The second site was a contaminated site that was obtained from Rohi Nala Baghiana Kalan (site 2). Birds from these sites were collected, slaughtered, and organs such as breast and thigh muscles, liver, heart, feathers, skin, and gizzard were separated. Waste samples were also collected from the intestine. Samples were prepared by chemical digestion and analyzed with atomic absorption spectroscopy to see the concentrations of sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and chromium (Cr). Results indicated higher concentrations of essential metals such as Na, Ca, and Fe, with lower levels of Zn and K. Notably, non-essential heavy metals like Hg and Cr were not found at any site, whereas site 2, which was a contaminated site, only showed Cd and Pb in birds. The study concludes that the White-breasted Waterhen has potential importance for conservation as it is a source of halal meat and essential metals. However, the detection of non-essential metals highlights the adverse effects of environmental pollution on these birds.